Trash receptacle

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a new and unusual combination trash receptacle, which is portable, compact, sage, and includes a novel storage compartment and garbage bag installation means.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This is a Continuation In Part Application of parent application U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/912,507, filed Jul. 23, 2001, entitled COMBINATION TRASH RECEPTACLE AND STEP STOOL, having the same inventors.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to trash containers in general but more particularly pertains to a trash receptacle having a unique retrieval means for inserting a garbage or trash bag therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the past, there have been many types of trash containers. However, nowhere in the prior art did the applicants find a combination of a trash receptacle or container with an integrated garbage bag or trash bag compartment, which would be most useful and novel as this allows a user quick access to the replacement of garbage bags into the trash container or trash can.

[0004] It is well known that most people position their trash containers in a convenient location for easy disposal, such as within the kitchen area, etc. Most often in such locations, the user in not within easy reach of replacement garbage bags. Therefore, the applicants contend there is a great need for a trash container that includes an integrated garbage bag compartment with easy access.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is therefore another object of the present invention is to provide a combination trash receptacle and a storage compartment for containment of typical plastic garbage bags, which can be either stored individually, on a roll, or within a box holding trash bags therein, for example.

[0006] It is therefore another object of the present invention to optionally provide a combination trash receptacle and step stool which is of a shape and size so as to be conveniently positioned within an area of user choice, and allows the user to easily dispose of trash as well as provides a step stool for easy access to items when needed.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a trash receptacle which is economical to produce and manufacture from any suitable material of engineering choice, such as plastic, wood, aluminum, etc.

[0008] Also a further object of the present invention is to provide a combination trash receptacle which includes various attachment means for removably attaching items of user choice onto the container, such as dish-towels, dust-rags, a dust-pan, a whisk broom, or the like.

[0009] A very important object of the present invention is to provide a method and combination trash receptacle having internal and external access to the above noted garbage bag compartment. As the internal access allows the user to easily grasp one of the garbage bags from the inside of the container, through an easy access hole, and position it for use, all in one step that is simple, easy, convenient and clean, and the external access allows the user to easily replace the garbage bags when the last one has been used.

[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a trash receptacle which may include an odor control insert therewith, and a compartment for containment thereof.

[0011] Other objects and advantages will be seen when taken into consideration with the following drawings and specifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is substantially a front side view of the preferred embodiment for the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 2 is substantially a back side view of the preferred embodiment for the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 3 is substantially a side view of the preferred embodiment for the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 4 is substantially a top view of the preferred embodiment for the present invention with the lid removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like characters refer to like elements throughout the various views. It is to be understood the present invention as depicted herein is only exemplary of one suitable embodiment, as the invention can be made in any suitable shape or size or from any suitable material of engineering choice, such as plastic, rubber, wood, aluminum, metal, etc.

[0017] As depicted throughout the views 1-4, the present invention is substantially a combination trash receptacle represented by overview (10), with the receptacle (12) being substantially formed from a front wall, a rear wall, a right side wall, a left side wall, a bottom, and a lid (15). It is to be understood each wall with bottom and lid in combination form an internal compartment (17) which is used for containment of trash (not shown). Although, skilled artisans of this art realize that there are many trash can designs that will use the below described patentable features. For example, round trash cans only have a single wall and based (or bottom).

[0018] There is an optional step stool (14) being substantially formed from at least one step (16) having at least one support leg (18) which is hingedly pivotably attached by hinge means (20).

[0019] It is to be understood that multiple steps (16), and multiple support legs (18) may be used as well as any other suitable type of hinge means (20) of engineering choice.

[0020] It can now be seen that step stool (14) has a retracted closed position as depicted in FIG. 2 and detracted open position as depicted in FIG. 3.

[0021] It is to be further understood that various attachment means may be used for attaching step stool (14) onto receptacle (12). Thus the following is only exemplary of one possible attachment means. Wherein step (16) may be pivotably attached to an attachment bracket (22) being suitably fixedly mounted onto receptacle (12) at the desired location. For example, at least one of the side walls either the right side or left side, includes a recessed cavity (26) and attachment bracket (22) is fixedly secured therein, such as by screws (now shown) or the like. Also, the last noted side wall further includes a locking mechanism (28) for securing optional step stool (14) onto the noted side wall when optional step stool (14) is in its retracted closed position. Recessed cavity (26) is of a shape and size to receive optional step stool (14) therein when step stool (14) is in the noted retracted closed position. Whereby, it can clearly be seen when step stool (14) is in its retracted closed position it is held in a flush manner within recessed cavity (26).

[0022] It is to be further understood optional lid (15) may be of any suitable lid construction of engineering choice, for example lid (15) may be hingedly attached and spring loaded so as to automatically open when pressed upon. Or the lid (15) may be simply frictionally engaged, etc.

[0023] However, the applicants feel it is very important that optional lid (15), step (16), and support leg (18) each include a non-slip surface. Again, any means for providing a non-slip surface can be implemented, such as a sprayed on coating, a roughened irregular surface, etc. Or as the applicants prefer, a rubberized material (30), is most suitable for lid (15) and step (16), and rubberized foot pads (52) are most suitable for support leg (18).

[0024] Other features are to include hooks (32) which can be used for multiple purposes of user choice, such as for hanging a dust rag, a bucket, a whisk broom and dust pan, towels, or the like.

[0025] Also, another important feature may be to provide optional locking casters (34). Again any suitable type of locking casters may be used according to engineering choice. Thus, the general construction and properties of the casters (34) are not described herein as there as numerous types of suitable casters in the known prior art.

[0026] Yet another feature may be to include optional handles (36) which allow the user to easily move receptacle (12) from one location to another. Again, handles of any type may be used, such as recessed, protruding, rectangular, or even of ergonomic design, etc.

[0027] A very important and novel feature of this invention is to include an attached concealed compartment (38) which can be used for containment of any article of user choice, preferrably such as either individual garbage bags (40), rolled garbage bags, or a box of garbage bags, etc. Concealed compartment (38) includes an opening (42) with optional reusable closure means, such as a closure device or an access door (44) which allows for easy replacement of either individual garbage bags (40), rolled garbage bags, or a box of garbage bags that are to be located in the concealed compartment (38). The compartment (38) is located below the base of the trash can (12). Most importantly, the concealed compartment (38) includes a hole (46) which is in open communication between internal compartment (17) and the concealed compartment (38). Whereby, one of the garbage bags (40) can be easily grasped by the user through hole (17) and simply pull up the bag (40) through hole (46) and then position the bag (40) into place within trash receptacle (12). Also, if desired, hole (46) may optionally include a reusable closure means of engineering choice, such as a plug (50) which allows the user to easily seal off hole (46), such as when a garbage bag is not in use thus preventing items or liquid within the cavity (17) from entering into the compartment (38).

[0028] It can now be seen we have herein provided a new and novel combination trash receptacle which is portable, compact, is of simple construction, and includes unique features heretofore not taught within the known prior art.

[0029] Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made there from within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded to the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatuses. 

Having described the invention what we claim as new and wish to secure by letters patent is:
 1. A trash can, comprising: a) a base and walls coupled to the base to form a cavity to hold trash therein; c) a hole, located within the base, and in communication with the cavity; and b) a compartment, located below the base and attached thereto, and in communication with the hole, the compartment being dimensioned and sized to hold trash bags in a position so that a user can reach into the hole and remove a single trash bag and thereby line the cavity of the trash can.
 2. The trash can of claim 1, further comprising a closure device positioned on the compartment and being sized and shaped to allow a user to open the closure device to insert trash bags into the compartment.
 3. The trash can of claim 2, further comprising a hole closure device for preventing items located in the cavity from entering into the compartment.
 4. A method of lining a trash can with a trash bag, comprising the method of: a) providing a typical trash can having a base and wall, which is coupled to the base, to form a cavity to hold trash therein; b) providing a compartment, located below the base of the trash can, the compartment being dimensioned and sized to hold at least a single trash bag; c) providing a hole located in the base and allowing for communication between the cavity and the compartment; c) placing at least a single trash bag in the compartment; and d) pulling the single plastic-type trash bag from the compartment, through the hole, and into the cavity to line the cavity of the trash can.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of providing a closure device positioned on the compartment and being sized and shaped to allow a user to open the closure device to insert trash bags into the compartment to be accessed by a user from the cavity to remove a single trash bag.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising a hole closure device for preventing items located in the cavity from entering into the compartment. 